Grieving Easton family seeks answers in fatal crash

The family of Robert Gallagher, a 57-year-old motorcyclist struck and killed on June 22 by a truck, wants to know why the other driver was allowed behind the wheel.

By Erin Shannon

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Erin Shannon

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 2, 2013 at 2:10 AM

By Erin Shannon

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 2, 2013 at 2:10 AM

WEST BRIDGEWATER

» Social News

The family of Robert Gallagher, a 57-year-old motorcyclist struck and killed on June 22 by a truck, has questions.

Their biggest question is how could a man unauthorized to operate the truck have access to a vehicle that could kill another motorist, said Marc Breakstone, an attorney hired by the family.

“At this point they’re grieving, but the biggest question they have is how could a company allow this to happen?” said Breakstone.

Matthew Beaucaire, 27, of East Bridgewater, was arrested and charged with driving without an interlock device as required by law; driving without a license and failure to yield.

The portable toilet-service truck he was driving struck and killed Gallagher at 10:20 a.m. on June 22 at 415 West St., West Bridgewater.

Gallagher was driving a 2013 Honda CRF250 motorcycle east on West Street when he was struck by the truck, which Beaucaire was driving across West Street from the north lot of J.P. Noonan to the south lot, according to the Police Department’s initial investigation.

Gallagher was pinned under the truck when emergency crews arrived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gallagher’s family has hired Breakstone to independently investigate the accident and represent the estate with any possible legal claims, he said.

“It’s really premature to comment on anything,” said Breakstone regarding any pending litigation. “We are waiting on a police report and the state police accident reconstruction findings.”

Beaucaire, who works as a welder for CTIW Iron Works Inc., was unauthorized to be driving the truck, according to J.P. Noonan officials.

Before the crash, Beaucaire had been doing welding on a truck owned by West Bridgewater’s Noonan Waste Services and was driving the truck across West Street. Noonan Waste Services is a company affiliated with J.P. Noonan, said Michael Mahoney, an attorney for J.P. Noonan.

Beaucaire, who has a history of OUI offenses, was arraigned in Brockton District Court on June 24, released on $3,000 cash bail and is forbidden from driving while the charges against him in the fatal accident are pending.

“Mr. Beaucaire is very sorry to the family who lost a loved one,” said his attorney, Jay McLaughlin after the arraignment. “His thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”

Beaucaire’s right to drive was revoked under the fatal preliminary provision, said Sara Lavoie, press secretary for the state Department of Transportation.

Breakstone said the Gallagher family is “devastated” by the loss and unable to comment at this time.

“He was an incredibly dedicated husband, father and grandfather,” said Breakstone.

Gallagher was very close with his granddaughter and would leave work early every day to pick up her up at school, said Breakstone.

Gallagher owned Hanson Precision Machine in South Easton. Breakstone also said that Gallagher was an “experienced and safe motorcyclist.”

Page 2 of 2 - As of Monday afternoon, the charges against Beaucaire had not changed. His case was continued until Sept. 20 for a pre-trial hearing.